Struggle for environmental protection and regeneration: youth in solidarity from Ontario to Bataan
Solidarity statement for Youth for Nationalism and Democracy April 3, 2013 Toronto, ON—Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance of Ontario (UKPC/FCYA-ON) lends its support to Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND) and their four-day conference titled “Struggle for Environmental Protection and Regeneration (STEPGen),” taking place between April 19th and 22nd in Bataan, Philippines. With great pride, UKPC/FCYA-ON salutes YND for their efforts and leadership in further developing a strong environmental perspective and stance in an era of intensifying neoliberal globalization and climate change. As foreign entities continue to seize and extract greater amounts of natural resources from the Philippines, areas of the country provide some of the clearest examples of environmental degradation and pollution under imperialist globalization. From open pit mining projects operated by Canadian mining corporations to large-scale commercial fishing ships that scrape the seafloor bare, there is no resource in the Philippines that will be left unexploited in the trajectory of imperialist expansion, including the exploitation of Filipinos as a source of cheap and disposable labour. Here in Canada, there is a tremendous [...]
Combat systemic racism by exposing and opposing Canada’s neoliberal agenda
Statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination April 3, 2013 Toronto, ON—As we commemorate the recent International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA) calls on all youth to reaffirm their role in combatting systemic racism, especially in today’s era of neoliberal globalization. This day was not only a day to revisit and to learn about the various forms and experiences of racism from the past, but it was also a day that served to remind all racialized communities that the fight against racism is far from over. As such, we, progressive Filipino Canadian youth, declare our unrelenting commitment to continue exposing and opposing present-day systemic racism and all its manifestations. Here in Canada, systemic racism continues to thrive in the guise of neoliberal policies that push and lock communities of colour into the very margins of society. As Canada takes pride of its “cultural diversity,” as it is the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy, it [...]
Free free Palestine! Occupation is a crime!
UKPC@York at SAIA York Rally for Divestment and Change, a set on Flickr. Solidarity statement March 27, 2013 Toronto, ON--As progressive Filipino Canadians, we condemn Canada's conservative government for its blatant support of the Israeli state's occupation and attacks on the Palestinians. We, in solidarity with Students Against Israeli Apartheid, and all other organizations and individuals who are against the illegal occupation of Palestine, fervently declare that we endorse the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. On Thursday March 21, 2013, the York Federation of Students passed a motion to support the BDS Movement. At the board meeting, before the motion was passed, students were given the opportunity to express their opinions on the motion. Those both for and against the motion gave compelling speeches, but it is still clear, as it has always been, who is the oppressor. Yet, a common theme among the Zionist cohort was victimization. In fact, one of the Zionist representatives expressed repeatedly that she would be “uncomfortable” as a student at York University if the motion was passed. Unfortunately, she is not the [...]
The Struggle Continues: A Successful International Women’s Day Celebration
For immediate release March 18, 2013 Toronto, ON—This International Women’s Day, more than 50 participants enjoyed a night of vital debate and lively celebration at the Philippine Women Centre of Ontario’s (PWC-ON) celebratory film screening, dinner and discussion on March 8th. Many who attended this event also marched with PWC-ON the following day for Toronto’s International Women’s Day demonstration and rally. Both events served to heighten women's unity and resolve, as the struggle of women in Canada continues to grow and to deepen in strength and militancy amidst the onslaughts of neoliberal globalization that take away women’s hard-won rights through regressive social policies. Organized by PWC-ON with the support of its sister organizations under the Magkaisa Centre, SIKLAB Ontario (Advance and Uphold the Struggles of Filipino Canadian Workers), and Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance of Ontario, the event "Celebrating IWD: A Film Screening of Karen Cho's 'Status Quo?: The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada' " took place at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. It provided organizers and participants [...]
Women in Canada and all over the world: reclaim and advance the women’s movement for genuine liberation
National statement March 19, 2013 The National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) marked International Women’s Day (IWD) by saluting all women who have, and continue to, put the struggles for women’s liberation at the forefront of women’s struggles. As we acknowledged our past gains and achievements, we also recognised that the struggle for our genuine liberation is far from over. Amidst the escalating attacks of neoliberal globalisation which continue to hamper down and claw-back our human rights, full equality and genuine development, we call on all progressive women to take the revolutionary road and advance the women’s movement towards our genuine liberation and emancipation. For the past two decades, the NAPWC has been steadfast in its stance that the liberation of all women cannot be achieved if the struggles of the most oppressed and marginalised amongst us are not at the forefront. For this year’s IWD, we, Filipino and Filipino Canadian women of the NAPWC, reassert our stance that women’s liberation is not negotiable. As part of our commitment to the global women’s movement, we stand [...]
Event Announcement: Celebratory Film Screening of “STATUS QUO?: THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF FEMINISM IN CANADA”
The Philippine Women Centre of Ontario Hosts: A FILM SCREENING OF "STATUS QUO?: THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF FEMINISM IN CANADA" An International Women's Day Celebration Dinner is available for $5 Celebration includes dinner, screening, open discussion, & desert Friday, March 8th, 2013, 6:00 - 8:00 PM Doors open at 5:30 PM OISE Room 5280 Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), 252 Bloor St. West Featuring "Status Quo?: The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada" (2013) Written and Directed by Karen Cho, Produced by Ravida Din, for the National Film Board of Canada Trailer available at http://www.nfb.ca/film/status_quo_the_unfinished_business_of_feminism/trailer/status_quo_the_unfinished_business_trailer For more information, contact: Signe Clemente (416) 519-2553 pwc-on@magkaisacentre.org www.magkaisacentre.org
Film Screening to Open Critical Discussion on Revolutionary Women’s Struggle in Canada
March 6, 2013 For immediate release Toronto, ON--To celebrate this year's International Women's Day, The Philippine Women Centre of Ontario (PWC-ON) is hosting a film screening, dinner and discussion on the ongoing and historical struggles of women in Canadian society. Featuring Karen Cho's "Status Quo?: The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada" (2013), the event will no doubt carry on the critical dialogue on feminism in Canada that the director has sparked as she continues to take her film into Canadian universities, libraries, and various public venues. The screening takes place Friday, March 8th at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE, 252 Bloor Street West) Room 5280 from 6 to 8 P.M. (Dinner will be served for five dollars to attendees prior to the screening, to be followed by discussion and dessert.) "Status Quo?: The Unfinished Business of Feminism" will prove an engaging cross-examination of the historical debate surrounding women's issues, such as those outlined by the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in 1971. PWC-ON aims, in its discussion of the film, to make [...]
Philippine Women Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day with a screening of Karen Cho’s Status Quo: The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada
February 14, 2013 For immediate release Toronto, ON--In celebration of International Women’s Day , the Philippine Women Centre of Ontario invites all to a screening of Canadian director Karen Cho’s latest documentary "Status Quo: The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada." The documentary screening will take place on March 8 at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (252 Bloor Street West) in room 5280, scheduled for 6 to 8 P.M. A $5 dinner is included and a discussion facilitated by Philippine Women Centre members is set to take place following the screening. The documentary delves into the key issues that women face in Canada, drawing parallels between the necessary fight towards women's rights in Canada's previous decades and our current struggles today. Violence against women, reproductive rights, and childcare are among the key issues tackled in the documentary. In marking the advancement of the women`s struggle for equality, development and human rights, the film will remind us all that the struggle for genuine women`s liberation continues today. Join us for a screening of this integral contemporary documentary [...]
Film Screening: “Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada”
Join us for the special screening of STATUS QUO? THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF FEMINISM IN CANADA, with director Karen Cho and subjects from the film present for a Q&A. This screening is co-presented with the National Film Board of Canada, the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada & the Philippine Women Centre of Ontario. STATUS QUO? THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF FEMINISM IN CANADA A sweeping, invigorating and disconcerting doc on the state of feminism, the history of the women's movement & the status of women in Canada. WHAT: Screening of STATUS QUO? THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF FEMINISM IN CANADA WHEN: Tuesday, February 5, 6:45 PM WHERE: Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto COST: Suggested donation $2-10 INFO: cinemapolitica.org SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook event Karen Cho / Canada / 2012 / 87 ' / English. This special screening is co-presented by the National Film Board of Canada and will feature special guest speakers including the director and main subjects from the film. SYNOPSIS: Feminism has shaped the society we live in. But [...]
Filipino Canadian youth condemn the provincial government for imposing contracts on Ontario teachers
January 14, 2013 For immediate release Toronto, ON—Members of the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance of Ontario/Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada (UKPC/FCYA-ON) are outraged by the Liberal Education Minister Laurel Broten’s recent move of imposing undemocratic and unjust contracts on Ontario teachers through the so-called ‘Putting Students First Act’ or ‘Bill 115’. We, Filipino Canadian youth and students, condemn this action and stand firm in our position that this bill does not put students first, but puts the government’s interests to the detriment of teachers and students alike. This move is nothing but part of the provincial government’s neoliberal agenda to slash public funding in education. Despite the government’s attempts to state that Bill 115 is just a matter of teacher’s pay and salaries which the Provincial Government can no longer afford, the issue extends far beyond the imposed two-year wage freeze and slashing of sick days. This bill gives the government power to effectively eliminate collective bargaining rights for Ontario’s 180,000 elementary and secondary school teachers, as well as banning strikes and lock-outs during the two-year [...]
Onward with the Struggle: National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada Mourn Death of Jyoti Singh Pandey, Call Women to Rise Up to End Violence Against Women
For immediate release January 11, 2012 Toronto, ON – The National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) stands in solidarity with women in India as they mourn the loss of 23 year-old student Jyoti Singh from the gruesome gang rape perpetuated by five men on a moving bus. Such heinous crime is a testament of the brutality of the violence perpetuated against women all over the world, and the vicious nature of patriarchy that lays the foundation for the continuing exploitation, oppression, and subordination of women regardless of cultural origin. While we are saddened and outraged that another woman has fallen victim to violence, we are even more determined and resolved in waging a militant struggle to end violence against women and fight towards genuine women’s liberation. We echo the voices of women in India and other progressive women and organizations in calling for an end to violence against women and in demanding the end to the normalized rape culture that lays blame on the victims rather than the perpetrators, as well as the lack of action [...]